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the past shouldn't matter.  while drawing benefits, you have been searching for work as directed.  whether you were "able" to work should not be in question because, even if you "had" filed a tdiu claim "saying" that you were too disabled to work, it is not "proven" or "certified' until the va or ssdi makes that "determination".  

i have been in a similar situation.  I have been on unemployment, giving it that ol' college try.  i am still deemed able until a higher power says otherwise,, until then,, i can still be as able as i can, even though i'm not at my best and probably won't last long.

the local unemployment office told me that i could even file a ssdi claim and continue drawing unemployment benefits, as long as i was "trying" to work.   the same applies for tdiu.    you do not owe them anything,, you worked for those benefits by seeking work as well as working in the past to provide that benefit. 

now, when you are awarded tdiu or ssdi,,,  you need to stop drawing benefits.  you should do this when you recieve your letter.  however, it could be that your award date is ten days before you recieved your letter...  well, then you have recieved unemployment benefits potentially "while" you were considered disabled.....  but, that is not your fault.  you continued to seek work and had not been notified yet.

and, if you continue to draw unemployment and try to seek work, up until you have your regular va check in your hand, I don't believe for a minute that you will be punished for it.....  nothing is set till you have that va check in your hand to pay your bills.....  what if you wait and wait and there is a delay?  you won't have any back up funds.

(I was just awarded tdiu.  i havent recieved a letter or money yet.  i got a call from my service rep before xmas and he told me to expect it. i am currently collecting unemployment, I won't stop till the va check is in my hand!

my service rep told me to stop unemployment when i get my check, after that, the irs can catch it down the road if you draw both at the same time.)

the worst that could happen in my last example is they ask you to pay back the benefits you recieved in the last couple of weeks before you started getting your va check,,, and mind you, they won't ask for it back unless you apply for unemployment benefits sometime in the future, that is how they roll.     also, unemployment records drop off, disappear after two years.  they don't keep track after that.  trust me,, i know this from experience.  so if you do apply after two years, the overpayment will be non-existent.

i am not trying to tell you how to scam or get one over on the system in any way!  i am just telling that you are fullfilling the unemployment office requirements ,, "up until you get your check".  they do have a very "fair" process and laws.

but remember, this is my experience.  i was a union man and unemployment was a way of life so to speak, so i am very familiar with their processes.

In my opinion, it will be slim to none that they would "ever" ask you to pay back anything while a tdiu claim was pending, known or not. 

hope that helps with the anxiety.    congratulations!